Dr. A. Jayaprakash, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. Assistant Professor, UG & Ph.D. Head, PG & Research Department of Biochemistry, Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), Tirupattur-635 601, Tirupattur District, Tamil Nadu, India

1. COMPONENTS OF BLOOD
Dr. A. Jayaprakash

2. Blood is a tissue fluid
It is reddish in colour
It is made to flow by the pumping action of
the heart
Adult human contains about 5 litres of blood
The blood is formed of two components,
namely a fluid component called Plasma and
a cellular component called formed elements.

3. Plasma
• Plasma is the liquid portion of blood.
• Out of 5 L of blood 3.5 L are plasma.
• It contains 90% water and the remaining 10% is formed
of organic and inorganic substances.
• These materials include proteins, glucose, nitrogenous
wastes, hormones, minerals, etc.
• There are about 200-300 g of plasma proteins present in
the total volume of blood.
• There are four different varieties namely
 Serum albumin
 Serum globulin
 Fibrinogen
 Prothrombin

5. FUNCTIONS OF BLOOD
Transporting oxygen and nutrients to the lungs
and tissues
Forming blood clots to prevent excess blood loss
Carrying cells and antibodies that fight infection
Bringing waste products to the kidneys and liver,
which filter and clean the blood
Regulating body temperature